Roofing company expected to plead guilty in fatality

The case against a Lethbridge company involved in the death of a man in Morley’s Siding has been set over to speedy disposition in April, with the defendant expected to enter a guilty plea.

Eastern Roof and Floor Truss Manufacturing (2008) Inc. and a company supervisor are charged with being responsible for the death of Douglas Hancock in September, 2011.

Hancock was struck while cycling near Morley’s Siding by an overhanging truss which had been loaded onto the trailer of a delivery truck. The truck was en route to a worksite in Clarenville at the time.

Five days were booked for a trial after the company pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to ensure the safety of someone not in its employment. Thursday in Clarenville provincial court the company’s lawyer said the company intends to change its plea.

The judge set a court date of April 8 at 10 a.m. to hear the plea and issue a sentence. The prosecution and defence will release an agreed statement of facts on that date, and the court will hear a victim impact statement by family of the deceased.

Prosecution has agreed to drop the charge against the supervisor in return for a guilty plea from the company itself.